Manufacturing Engineering Manager, Cell Formation

Manufacturing Engineering Manager, Cell Formation | Tesla

Location: AUSTIN, Texas | Req ID: 278741 | Job Type: Full-time

What to Expect

Tesla is seeking an experienced Manufacturing Engineering Manager to lead Cell Formation at Gigafactory Texas in Austin, TX, as we scale next-generation battery cell production.

Cell Formation is one of the most critical and capital-intensive steps in battery cell manufacturing — the process where every cell is charged and cycled for the first time, forming the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer that governs its performance, safety, and lifetime.

This role owns the design, installation, qualification, and ramp of a large-scale Formation and Aging area, building and leading a 20+ person team of Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineers.

The ideal candidate has a proven track record of standing up new engineering teams and leading complex, high-volume manufacturing programs — ideally in cell/battery production, semiconductors, or another precision, equipment-intensive industry. You will partner across Cell Design, Process Engineering, Quality, Controls, Construction, and New Product Introduction to bring a new production area online, from first equipment install through steady-state production. This is a high-visibility, cross-functional role requiring sound judgment and the ability to move fast in an ambiguous, fast-changing environment.

What You'll Do

• Build, lead, and grow a 20+ person cross-disciplinary engineering team (Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineers) supporting Cell Formation
• Own end-to-end development of Formation and Aging systems — cyclers, degas/reseal, aging racks, and thermal chambers — from concept through installation, qualification, and full production
• Partner with Cell Design, Process Engineering, and NPI to ensure formation protocols and equipment meet cycle time, yield, and cell performance targets
• Drive PFMEA, control plans, and critical parameter management to ensure formation and aging processes are safe, repeatable, and scalable
• Direct Controls engineers on cycler automation, data acquisition, and integration with plant MES and quality systems
• Coordinate with Construction and Factory Design teams to ready new manufacturing space for equipment install and line startup
• Lead installation, qualification, and ramp activities to hit aggressive timelines and quality targets
• Build and present compelling, data-backed business cases and capacity plans to executive leadership
• Set clear team goals and KPIs (safety, uptime, yield, cycle time) to drive accountability and performance
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives that reduce formation cycle time, capital intensity, and floor space footprint

What You'll Bring

• Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Manufacturing Engineering, or equivalent experience
• 10+ years of manufacturing engineering experience, including 3+ years leading engineering teams
• Experience in battery cell manufacturing; direct exposure to Formation & Aging processes strongly preferred
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary teams spanning process, controls/automation, and mechanical engineering
• Strong background in PFMEA, process validation, control plans, and critical parameter management
• Experience specifying and qualifying capital equipment such as cyclers, aging racks, or thermal systems
• Familiarity with automation architecture, PLC controls, and MES/data systems
• Track record of leading greenfield or brownfield line installation and ramp in a high-volume environment
• Excellent executive communication skills and experience building business cases for capital funding
• Comfortable operating with a high degree of ambiguity in a fast-paced, evolving manufacturing environment

Benefits

Along with competitive pay, as a full-time Tesla employee, you are eligible for the following benefits at day 1 of hire:

• Medical plans > plan options with $0 payroll deduction
• Family-building, fertility, adoption and surrogacy benefits
• Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans, both have options with a $0 paycheck contribution
• Company Paid (Health Savings Accounts) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High-Deductible medical plan with HSA
• Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• 401(k) with employer match, Employee Stock Purchase Plans, and other financial benefits
• Company paid Basic Life, AD&D
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance (90 day waiting period)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Sick and Vacation time (Flex time for salary positions, Accrued hours for Hourly positions), and Paid Holidays
• Back-up childcare and parenting support resources
• Voluntary benefits to include: critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, and pet insurance
• Weight Loss and Tobacco Cessation Programs
• Tesla Babies program
• Commuter benefits
• Employee discounts and perks program
• Earned Wage Access: Real-time pay access paid daily, subject to eligibility and schedule (applicable for below Sr. Managers levels)